Thread: Reasonable Cheap Shock Absorbers?

er, search a bit more......with the aussie $ so high billy's from the US are very affordable, would go close to getting all four for $500

from memory i got mine from here Bilstein Shocks, KW Suspensions and much more: eShocks.com

Agreed, check out lucky8, starting at $48-, OME's $90- (was in ARB today same thing almost 3 times the price), bilsteins $138-

i have suspension stuff silver shocks, cost me 450 for all 4 and they are +5 extended,

nice ride, only down side i have is my bushes have packed it in, (just means more flex) and fast rebound is abit to stiff,, other then that i like them and will get them again

Just be a little bit careful, most shocks aren't valved for the rear of a 130, they are valved for a Disco I/RRC, let alone the cheapies.

A 130 has a rear spring over twice the rate of a Disco, over 2.5 times a RRC so anything valved for them will be a bit underdamped in rebound and possibly too stiff in bump. I'd question the seller if they are valved for a 130.

Thanks Rick. I have seen this set which kind of appeals for no other reason than that I like the vendor and they are a "man sized set of shockies for a man sized truck".
I will do as you suggest and ask the question direct.
LAND ROVER DEFENDER "BIG BORE" TF REAR SHOCKER SET +2"

• 

Item Description
PART N°:TF124 x2(for reference only)

YOU ARE CURRENTLY VIEWING A SALE FOR A BRAND NEW TOP QUALITY ORIGINAL TERRAFIRMA "BIG BORE" EXPEDITION REAR SHOCK ABSORBER SET.

Everything about The Big Bore Expedition shock is massive with its 76mm diameter body, 50mm piston and of course Terrafirma’s super strong 20mm double chromed shaft. The fully welded mounting points and the natural rubber bushes are the largest possible to fit Land Rover’s original mounting points.
The massive 76mm shock body provides ample capacity for the high performance oil necessary to keep the internal workings cool while
maintaining high damping performance even when combined with the high spring rates required to carry very heavy loads.
Coincidentally fitting the Big Bore expedition shocks to a light or un-laden Land Rover gives a firm, sporty handling characteristic often sought after by the more performance orientated driver.

FEATURES : 76mm body, twin tube design, 50mm internal bore and piston, 20mm double chromed shaft, High temperature oil filled, 2.5mmouter shock tube wall thickness, 14mm mounting pins.
SUITABLE FOR:

• Defender - 90/110/130 - All model years

*USE CHASSIS/VIN (last 8) FOR POSITIVE ID

Most of the 'cheap' shocks will say that they have a life of 40,000km. Bilsteins and KONIs have a life of 100,000km +. So for the extra $50-$100 per shock, you save the hassle of early failure / deterioration, several shock absorber changes, several days of your life pricing and buying shocks in the future, and you enjoy a better controlled ride, which has safety and load carrying benefits.

The KONIs were too expensive for me, but given the cost benefit, the Bilsteins work out cheaper than the cheap shocks in the long run.

Edit : just saw your post about the TerraFirmas, I've just fitted a couple of sets of Terra Firma shocks to friends D2s and they look pretty good, and were well priced (almost half the price of Bilsteins).

How long do you plan to keep the vehicle?

My 110 came with bilsteins when I bought it. According to the service history, they have been fitted for over 180000 km and 11 years. Including plenty of offroad driving on corrugated roads.

One of the vehicles on the canning was a RRC with 4 year old shocks (<40000km). One shock failed and the one broke. I forget the brand now, but they were red and "man sized" - to use your terminology.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

How long do you plan to keep the vehicle?

Not sure - as long as I can before it drains the living $ out of me - only just got it. The main issue I have is the availability of $ - mortgage, food, insurance, school fees etc etc (just like everybody else) means that the dollars available are limited. It may well be that buying a pair of shocks that are going to last 150,000km for $600 is better value for money in the long run BUT if you only have, say, $250 to spend then the $600 option is irrelevant no matter how good it seems.
Thus my question about "reasonable cheap shocks". The ones I showed in an earlier post to this thread fit the price range. The metal on them looks good and thick - at least thats a start. The vendor claims they suit/fit a 130. If someone has had experience with them then the feedback would be hugely appreciated. Michael2's comments give me some hope.